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Letter: Legal zoning doesn’t make it right

Dear Editor, On the corner of Doulton Avenue and Doulton Place, (north-east of No. 2 Road and Frances Avenue) there is a massive three-storey home under construction.

Dear Editor,

On the corner of Doulton Avenue and Doulton Place, (north-east of No. 2 Road and Frances Avenue) there is a massive three-storey home under construction. It has three full storeys and is already well above the roof line of all other houses in the area. I cannot wait to see this thing once it has a roof.

A second house is starting construction at Doulton Avenue and Dakota. It is directly behind the house at Doulton and Doulton. Both are on lots of about 6,500 sq. ft. The new construction at Doulton and Doulton Place (the one without a roof yet) dwarfs a recently completed 4,000-plus square-foot house on a nearby corner.

A fourth property has recently been cleared for construction. It is opposite the place on Doulton and Dakota.

Yes, there are three new, massive homes in a row, either under construction or recently completed, on three corner lots in an established residential subdivision.

A fourth is being built directly opposite one of the three houses just mentioned. All dwarf or will dwarf neighbouring properties.

A fifth is under construction on Doulton Place, between 50 and 200 meters from all the aforementioned properties. This house has a massive wall that extends beyond the front and back of the neighbouring property. That existing property has been sentenced to limited natural light and sunshine and little or no ability to grow anything in the huge shadow of this house. It has the feel of a prison wall or a tunnel.

I cannot believe that our mayor and council think this is a good idea. Since none of this is new, I can only conclude they agree with what is happening.

To allow massive structures that dwarf neighbourhoods is ridiculous. It is definitely unfair.

The reason for allowing this is zoning? That’s nuts. Isn’t it the responsibility of the city to ensure that development is proper and appropriate? These megahomes are neither.

Mayor Brodie and his councillors should hang their heads in shame when you consider what Richmond has become under their watch.

Blind adherence to zoning and unaccountable elected officials does not build a livable city.

John Edmondson

Richmond